Youth workshop takes on urban stereotypes

Robert Carter, a 17-year-old who attends Hickman High School, has seven tattoos: four visible on his forearms, one on each shoulder and one across his chest.

But after sitting through a morning workshop yesterday by a national leadership development organization and learning what people think when they see his tattoos, Robert said he is done paying for someone to burn ink on his body. “You don’t want to be stereotyped,” he said.

Robert and about 100 other Columbia middle school and high school students participated in the Lincoln University-sponsored event at the Tiger Hotel that brought individuals from the Urban Leadership Institute in Baltimore, Md. The speakers hosted four sessions yesterday morning, including “10 Rules of Survival If Stopped by Police,” understanding hip-hop culture, conflict resolution and preparing for college.

“We don’t have any excuses, and we’re not going to offer you any,” said Adrian Hendricks of Lincoln University. “We are here to challenge and change.”

The institute focuses on youth leadership development, hoping to inspire young people to make better choices. “Dare to be King” was the theme of yesterday’s activities, which challenged the boys to become the best person they can.

During the hip-hop session, the discussion focused on clothing and what people think when they see a certain type of clothing, such as baggy pants. Robert told the group black youths wear what they see, whether it’s a rapper on television or a black male in their neighborhood. Robert said he doesn’t often see black males dressed in suits and button-down shirts.

“People look at you a certain way when you dress like that,” Robert said.

The hip-hop session also focused on understanding what people think when a person is dressed in hip-hop style and making sure people view you the way you want them to, Robert said.

LaMarr Darnell Shields, president of the institute, also provided each participant with a free copy of his book, “101 Things Every Boy/Young Man of Color Needs to Know.” “I want to change the headlines,” Shields said.

Instead of black youths making news because they are involved in a shooting, Shields wants them to achieve more good in their communities.

Delia Samuels, a mother who attended the workshop with her 12-year-old son, said it’s about time Columbia hosted such an event. “It’s sad we have to listen to the news and read the newspapers about our youths being beat or killed before we do anything,” she said, adding she’s looking forward to the next event.

David Miller, co-founder of the institute, also spoke to the participants at the end of the session.

“You guys don’t have to go to prison. You don’t have to die in the streets,” he said. “You can go to college. You can be an entrepreneur.”